Question regarding quantum mechanics from relativity perspective

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between quantum mechanics, specifically particle-wave duality, and concepts from relativity, such as time dilation and the behavior of light across different reference frames. Participants explore how these ideas might connect to the observer's experience of time and the nature of probability in quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a connection between particle-wave duality and time dilation, suggesting that the probability of a wave function might relate to the observer's motion relative to light.
  • Another participant argues against using classical mental models to understand quantum mechanics, stating that wave-particle duality is not part of the formalism of quantum mechanics.
  • A participant questions the validity of Feynman's hypothesis regarding superpositions, asserting that superposition is a mathematical concept rather than a physical hypothesis.
  • There is a suggestion that understanding the mathematics of quantum mechanics is essential for grasping these concepts accurately.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relevance of classical concepts to quantum mechanics, with some advocating for a strict mathematical approach while others explore potential connections between quantum mechanics and relativity. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these ideas.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the discussion primarily concerns non-relativistic quantum mechanics, which may limit the applicability of relativistic concepts like time dilation.

Cjorgensen
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TL;DR
This is just a quick question to better my understanding of how the world works
I want to start with the fact that I have been self teaching myself this stuff, so I do apologize if there is any oversights that should be blatantly obvious. But I was questioning when examining the particle wave duality inside of quantum mechanics if there was a chance that it could be directly related to time dilation and how light exists at C across all reference frames. Essentially treating the probability of the wave function as a relationship to the observers motion in respect to the photon. So when you accelerate to C away from the light, you will see the light redshift. But if you accelerate towards the light to C, you will see it blue shift and begin to redshift again as time starts to dilate as you approach C. I was attempting to identify a way for a probability to become deterministic at larger scales. So I questioned if it could be due to how we experience time. It seems to support Feynman's hypothesis of every superposition existing simultanenously but with the caviate of them be related to how the observer views the particle.
 
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Cjorgensen said:
So I questioned if it could be due to how we experience time.

No. It is due the fact, that people tried to use classical mental pictures to talk about quantum things. Which is a no-go. Wave-particle duality is a heuristic that is not part of quantum mechanics formalism, so you shouldn't waste much time thinking about it. Instead, learn quantum mechanics as it is. Mind you, we (and you) are talking about non-relativistic QM, so time dilation and other things are not applicable.
 
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Cjorgensen said:
TL;DR Summary: This is just a quick question to better my understanding of how the world works

I want to start with the fact that I have been self teaching myself this stuff, so I do apologize if there is any oversights that should be blatantly obvious. But I was questioning when examining the particle wave duality inside of quantum mechanics if there was a chance that it could be directly related to time dilation and how light exists at C across all reference frames. Essentially treating the probability of the wave function as a relationship to the observers motion in respect to the photon. So when you accelerate to C away from the light, you will see the light redshift. But if you accelerate towards the light to C, you will see it blue shift and begin to redshift again as time starts to dilate as you approach C. I was attempting to identify a way for a probability to become deterministic at larger scales. So I questioned if it could be due to how we experience time. It seems to support Feynman's hypothesis of every superposition existing simultanenously but with the caviate of them be related to how the observer views the particle.
What sources are you using? If you really want to learn this stuff you need undergraduate textbooks.
 
Cjorgensen said:
It seems to support Feynman's hypothesis of every superposition existing simultanenously

And I want to comment this part: there is no such hypothesis. Superposision is a mathematical tool, and you need very little linear algebra to understand that it is a mathematical fact, that there are inifinitely many bases in every vector space, and you can decompose given vector in each of this basis. In some weird sense I guess one can say that "every superposision exist simultaneously" but once you know and understand the math, there is no need to do that.

Maybe what you had in mind was something connected to Feynman's path integrals, but that still does not work the way you think it does.

So, summing up: math is the only way to go :smile:
 

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